Error reporting systems inadequate, say physicians

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January 16, 2008

A new study done by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality says that physicians think error reporting systems are inadequate, and because they are physicians are more likely to discuss errors with colleagues than formally report them. This practice, however, means that errors are underreported to hospitals, which makes it hard to collect data around medical errors, the study says.

The study questioned more than 1,000 physicians between 2003 and 2004. Although 66% of those questioned said they had been involved in a near miss, most believed that errors were the result of a system failure, and not an individual failure.

To read more results, click here